Los Angeles Natural History Museum’s Dinosaur Fossil Gets Unique Name After Public Vote
In a significant election year for many countries, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County recently closed a vote to name its star dinosaur fossil, a 75ft-long sauropod skeleton. The museum is preparing for a $75m renovation and expansion project called NHM Commons, which will open this autumn with a new welcome pavilion featuring the fossil. After over 8,100 votes, the winning name chosen by the public was Gnatalie, reflecting the fossil’s extraction by palaeontologists who endured gnats in Utah. Gnatalie is a diplodocus-like dinosaur fossil from the late-Jurassic Period.
Named dinosaur fossils such as Sue, Horridus, and Sophie have gained popularity in natural history museums. Gnatalie will join this prestigious group, engaging visitors in scientific discovery. Despite the internal nickname given to Gnatalie by NHM staff, the public vote for the name was decisive. The fossil will soon be on public display for the first time, making it a must-see attraction for dinosaur enthusiasts.
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Elara Voss, graduated from the Royal College of Art in London with a Master’s in Fine Art. She specializes in contemporary sculpture and installation art, exploring themes of nature and human interaction. Elara’s works have been featured in several group exhibitions across Europe, and she is currently working on her first solo show.